Method and apparatus for copying and pasting of data

Abstract

A method is provided including: detecting a first gesture performed while a cursor is placed in an input field in a first application; displaying an application list in response to the first gesture; detecting a selection of a second application from the application list; opening a first file with the second application and displaying a content of the first file; detecting a second gesture being performed on a portion of the content of the first file; and inserting the portion of the content of the first file into the input field of the first application.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 detecting a first gesture performed while a cursor is placed in an input field in a first application;   displaying an application list in response to the first gesture;   detecting a selection of a second application from the application list;   opening a first file with the second application and displaying a content of the first file;   detecting a second gesture being performed on a portion of the content of the first file; and   inserting the portion of the content of the first file into the input field of the first application.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gesture includes one of a touch and a drag. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the application list is displayed based on an attribute of the input field. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein displaying the application list based on the attribute of the input field comprises including in the application list applications that are capable of rendering content that the input field is configured to accept. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the displaying of the application list comprises displaying an input component in response to the first gesture, wherein the application list is displayed in response to the input component being selected. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 outputting a query asking a user whether additional content needs to be inserted into the input field;   displaying the application list;   detecting a selection of a third application from the application list;   opening a second file with the third application and displaying a content of the second file;   detecting the second gesture being performed on a portion of the content of the second file; and   inserting the portion of the content of the second file into the input field.   
     
     
         7 . An electronic device comprising a processor configured to:
 detect a first gesture performed while a cursor is placed in an input field in a first application;   display an application list in response to the first gesture;   detect a selection of a second application from the application list;   opening a first file with the second application and displaying a content of the first file;   detect a second gesture being performed on a portion of the content of the first file; and   insert the portion of the content of the first file into the input field of the first application.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the second gesture includes one of a touch and a drag. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the application list is displayed based on an attribute of the input field. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein displaying the application list based on the attribute of the input field comprises including in the application list applications that are capable of rendering a content that the input field is configured to accept. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the displaying of the application list comprises displaying an input component in response to the first gesture, wherein the application list is displayed in response to the input component being selected. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 output a query asking a user whether additional content needs to be inserted into the input field;   display the application list;   detect a selection of a third application from the application list;   open a second file with the third application and displaying a content of the second file;   detect the second gesture being performed on a portion of the content of the second file; and   insert the portion of the content of the second file into the input field.   
     
     
         13 . A method for copying and pasting data in an electronic device, the method comprising:
 detecting a selection of a paste position in a first application;   displaying an application list after the paste position is selected;   detecting a selection of a second application from the application list;   opening a file with the second application and displaying a content of the file;   detecting a selection of a portion of the content of the file; and   displaying the portion of the content of the file at the paste position.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the portion of the content of the file is selected by performing one of a touch and a drag. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the paste position is located in an input field; and   the application list includes at least one of an application that is being executed by the electronic device and an application that is selected based on an attribute of the input field.   
     
     
         16 . An electronic device comprising a processor configured to:
 detect a selection of a paste position in a first application;   display an application list after the paste position is selected;   detect a selection of a second application from the application list;   open a file with the second application and displaying a content of the file;   detect a selection of a portion of the content of the file; and   display the portion of the content of the file at the paste position.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the portion of the content of the file is selected by performing one of a touch and a drag. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the paste position is located in an input field; and   the application list includes at least one of an application that is being executed by the electronic device and an application that is selected based on an attribute of the input field.   
     
     
         19 . A method for copying and pasting data in an electronic device, the method comprising:
 detecting a selection of a paste position in a first application;   displaying an application list after the paste position is selected;   detecting a selection of a second application from the application list;   displaying a content by using the second application;   detecting a gesture selecting the content as the content is displayed using the second application; and   pasting the content at the paste position in the first application in response to the gesture;   wherein the gesture serves as both an instruction to copy the content and an instruction to paste the content.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the application list includes at least one of an application that is being executed by the electronic device and an application that is selected based on an attribute of an input field where the paste position is located.